Canada is a truly gargantuan country, and while its cities are just as frenetic and cosmopolitan as any in the world, its vast and unpopulated countryside, home to Inuit communities, striking blue glacial lakes and fresh mountain air, are the real draw.
If you’re planning a holiday to this diverse country, our Canada travel guides are packed full of useful information on how to make the most of your time. From whale watching and grizzly bear spotting, to immersing yourself in the world-class rodeo at the Calgary Stampede, there’s plenty to see and do in Canada.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Canada specialists
Our travel guides share our specialists’ passion and knowledge for Canada. We travel here regularly to discover new experiences, explore untried areas and dig deeper into the better-known places and attractions. At the same time, we gather advice and up-to-date information on the best-quality guides, new hotels and restaurants, and the most memorable forms of transportation.
Canada & Alaska rail journeys
The vast wilds of Canada and Alaska were tamed by rail, and even now the land is crossed by some of the world’s most iconic rail journeys. Here we showcase some of the best.
Self-drive holidays in Canada
Whether you choose a route circuiting western Canada’s renowned mountains, glaciers and lakes, or you’d rather go off-grid exploring the traditional fishing villages and coastal drives of the Maritimes, Canada’s well-maintained, easily navigable roads make it an excellent self-drive destination.
Highlights of the Canadian Rockies
With glacier-fed lakes, thick pine forests and sharp, triangular mountains, the Canadian Rockies are a true wilderness area. Activities can include hiking, canoeing and visiting glaciers. Canada specialist Emily explains how you can make the most of your trip to the Rockies.
Canada’s Maritime Provinces
Canada’s Maritime Provinces offer a quieter alternative to the west coast. Here, you can follow coastal roads to secluded coves and traditional lighthouses. Visit peaceful fishing villages where saltbox houses line the waterfront. And, explore the area’s Celtic roots. Canada specialist Jon shares his highlights of the region.
Family holidays to Canada
Whether you’re visiting the east or the west, Canada offers a wealth of things to do for families, from helicopter rides over Niagara Falls to whale watching around Vancouver Island. Canada specialist Kayleigh outlines her ideas for a memorable family holiday in Canada.
In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada
Canada is well-known for its wildlife, but the stars of the show are arguably its resident bears. These often solitary creatures can be difficult to find, but our Canada specialists can recommend intimate bear-watching experiences that allow you to see them in their natural habitat.
Wildlife holidays in Canada, Alaska & the Arctic
We list here what we think are the most 'iconic' wildlife you can see in Canada, Alaska and the Arctic. We detail some interesting facts and figures about each type, plus of course, the best places and times to see them.
Luxury holidays in Canada: heli-hiking, glamping and ranch stays
Canada may be associated with log cabins and the simple pleasures of the great outdoors, but there are ways to add a touch of luxury to your trip. Our Canada specialists highlight places and experiences with a more exclusive feel.
Polar bear watching in Canada
Churchill in northern Canada is known as the polar bear capital of the world. Every year, hundreds of bears congregate around nearby Hudson Bay waiting for the water to ice over so they can hunt seals. Canada specialist Mike shares the best ways to see them.
Canada self-drive holidays: Ontario and Québec
By self-driving in Canada’s Ontario and Québec provinces, you can explore peaceful parks filled with wildlife, secluded towns and villages, and multicultural cities at your own pace. Canada specialist Rebecca shares her ideas for self-drive routes that take in the best of each province.
Highlights of Ontario
Seeing far fewer overseas visitors than Canada’s western provinces, Ontario offers forested landscapes, cosmopolitan cities and First Nations culture in a relatively compact area. Canada specialist Kayleigh outlines the region’s highlights, from touring Toronto’s markets to canoeing in Algonquin Provincial Park.
Self-driving in western Canada
Canada specialists Kerry and Annie share their tried-and-tested self-drive routes in western Canada. You might want to follow a lesser-known loop through the Canadian Rockies, detouring to the Okanagan wine region. Or, take in British Columbia’s coastline and Vancouver Island.
Honeymoons in Canada
Country specialist, Caroline, picks some of her top places to stay and things to do on honeymoon in Canada. Her highlights include where to spot Canada’s wildlife, taking a food tour in Vancouver, finding seclusion in the Rockies and staying on an authentic ranch.
Highlights of Vancouver Island
Canada specialist Jamie shares the best things to see and do on Vancouver Island. You could observe black and grizzly bears in temperate rainforests. Look for orcas on boat trips from Victoria. Or hike to secluded beaches in the remote north.
Activity holidays in Canada
Canada is a country where much of your time is spent outdoors, so it makes sense that this region of the world is one of the best for activity holidays. Try your hand at white water rafting, canopy walking or dog sledding.
Canada's Arctic, the Yukon & Prairie Provinces
Canada's northernmost territory is a remote and starkly beautiful landscape. We can recommend lodges or expedition cruises to provide the best opportunities of seeing wildlife and exploring the highlights of this spectacular wilderness.
How to see the northern lights in Canada and Alaska
Elusive, silent and celestial, the aurora borealis is a spectacle that few get to witness. Specialist, and cold-weather enthusiast, Lucy discusses the northern lights in Canada or Alaska and suggests the best lodges to stay in to improve your chances.
Highlights of Québec
Offering perhaps the most complete mix of culture, scenery and wildlife of any of Canada’s provinces, there are lots of things to see and do in Québec. Our specialists will be happy to design an itinerary to suit your preferences.
Cruises in Canada
Canada is ideally suited for adventure cruises, especially with the abundance of marine wildlife around its enormous coastline. We can recommend a variety of boats and suitable activities to help you get the most out of your visit.
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies
There are literally hundreds of hiking and walking trails in Canada's Rocky Mountains, appealing to all levels of fitness. Here we pick out some of the best places for you to put on your walking boots and experience the Rocky Mountains at your own pace.
Walking holidays in Canada
If you're planning a tailor-made walking holiday in Canada our specialists can advise on the best places to visit and where to stay to get the most out of your trip. Canada is also home to one of the most exhilarating forms of walking holiday - the heli-hike.
Driving the Icefields Parkway: what to see and where to stop
One of Canada’s most celebrated scenic drives, the Icefields Parkway runs through the Rockies between Jasper and Lake Louise. With so much to see and do along the route, specialist Jamie shares her tried-and-tested highlights, from waterfall hikes to elevated viewpoints.
Self-driving in the Yukon: chasing the ghost of the Gold Rush
Canada specialist Jon shares his tried-and-tested route for exploring the Yukon by car. He also suggests things to see and do along the way to make the most of your trip, from visiting time-frozen towns to hiking in lake-strewn parks.
